Description
Chicken Divan is a classic American casserole dish featuring tender cooked chicken and crisp broccoli in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with a buttery breadcrumb crust and baked until golden and bubbly. This comforting and easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a family dinner and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli, chopped
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Topping
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (Panko recommended)
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Cook Broccoli: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the chopped broccoli until it becomes tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Drain the broccoli thoroughly to prevent sogginess in the casserole.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken cubes, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create a creamy mixture. Gently fold in the cooked broccoli to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Transfer the chicken and broccoli mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Make Topping: In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter, mixing until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer on the casserole. This will create a deliciously crispy topping.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder to the mixture.
- If you prefer a lower-fat version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
- Make sure to drain the broccoli well to avoid a watery casserole.
- Panko breadcrumbs give the topping a nice crunch; regular breadcrumbs can be used but may be less crispy.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
